Top tips for saving water at home
Water plays a big part in climate change, from melting icebergs to urban flooding. Although we live in a very wet region, it doesn’t mean our water availability problems are solved! It’s so important that our natural water resources meet the demands for both local people and the environment.
We can all play a part in climate action by being conscious of our water usage in everyday life. Check out our tips below to find out how you can reduce the amount of water you use!
What can I do to save water?
The average person in the North West uses 143 litres of water a day, meaning we could hit water shortages in the UK by 2050!
To help combat this, United Utilities have put together a ‘Water Fit’ quiz. After filling in a short survey about your water use, you’ll be shown a personalised plan for how you can save water, and you can even order your own free water saving kit to help!
Get started on your water saving journey
Bog Monsters & Leaky Loos
Did you know that a leaky loo can waste up to five bathtubs of water per day, and cost up to £400 per year in extra water bills?
To find out if your toilet is leaking, look out for the following issues:
Any signs of trickling or flowing water in between flushes
Any sounds from the bowl or the cistern as it refills
To test for a leaky loo, you can also place a dry piece of toilet roll on the back of the loo to see if it dampens in between uses
You can also order a free leaky loo strip by visiting the ‘Get Water Fit’ page.
Another way to reduce water use in your toilet is to use a Bog Monster (see below image), a rock which is small enough to be placed inside the cistern. Every time you flush, your Bog Monster will displace a certain amount of water, helping you to save both water and money over time!
Water Butts
If you have a garden, Water Butts are perfect for collecting rainwater, which can be used to water plants in drier periods and even clean your car, windows and more!
If you’re local to Greater Manchester, you’ll qualify for discounted Water Butts via Save Water Save Money, subsidised by United Utilities. Simply fill in your postcode on the webpage and you’ll be taken to their selection of Water Butts.
Order your discounted Water Butt
Grey Water
Grey Water is perfect if you have an outdoor space and want to go the extra mile with reusing water. In a nutshell, Grey Water is the water collected from showers, washing machines, sinks and more. This can be done through using buckets or pans to collect water when performing everyday tasks like boiling or rinsing food and empty containers.
Since this water hasn’t been treated, it’s recommended to use outside as oppose to watering indoor plants. However, there’s a few things to keep in mind when using this type of water:
When watering fruits and vegetables, don’t let the water make contact with the edible parts of the plant.
Don’t use Grey Water on root vegetables or small lettuces and other leafy greens where the edible portion of the plant touches the ground.
To make sure the water is safe from washing machines, use a low sodium detergent to avoid degrading your soil.
Avoid using sink water if it contains a high amount of grease, oil and chemicals.
